This father-daughter duo from Bulacan proves that age is just a number in attaining their dreams!
Daddy Roberto and Kathleen Suarez wowed netizens with their determination to excel in their respective fields despite their age.
“Ngayon kasi wala na ‘yung stigma na kung ganito ‘yung age mo, parang mamatahin ka ng mga classmates mo. Hindi naman ganon. Talagang ‘pag dream mo, kasi talaga, ipupush mo talaga,” Kathleen told The Philippine STAR.
55-year-old Daddy Roberto successfully passed the Bar exams after six attempts in November 2022.
“Sa law school, wala talaga sa edad eh. Marami akong kaklase na, na mas matanda sa ‘kin. Importante, makamit mo ‘yung inumpisahan mo, matapos mo,” he stressed.
He tried different jobs to sustain the needs of his family while studying at the Philippine Law School.
“I started entering law school in 1998, I graduated in 2002. I took the bar in 2003, 2004, and 2006 tapos kulang ang financial capabilities ko. Umulit ako ng 2017, 2019, and finally on my sixth take, November 2022, pumasa na ako,” he shared.
Kathleen witnessed her father’s dedication in achieving his dream of becoming a lawyer.
“Pinaka affected kami ay ‘yung 2017. 2019 kasi 18 above na ‘yung age namin so dun na namin naiintidihan ‘yung, reality of life,” she said.
“Dumating din sa isip ko na baka hindi para sa ‘kin. Sabi ko baka wala sa destiny ko. Pero pag sumuko ka, ang naisip ko, ‘pag sumuko ako, ito na magiging katapusan ng kwento ko,” Daddy Roberto said.
Kathleen said that her father’s dedication also inspired her to continue her studies after she stopped in 2009.
She is currently a third-year nursing student at the Nazarenus College and Hospital Foundation, Inc. while working full-time as a financial advisor.
“Kung gusto mo na gumive up, lagi mo lang sabihin na ‘I’ll give up tomorrow.’ Para alam mo ‘yun, hindi ka gi-give up ngayon. Everyday ‘yun ‘yung sasabihin mo. Push lang nang push talaga Tsaka naniniwala din kasi ako na pana-panahon lang ‘yan. ‘Yung favorite quote ko, Isaiah 60:22 ‘When the time is right, I the Lord, will make it happen,’” she stressed.
“Everything in this world takes time talaga eh,” Daddy Roberto echoed.
Daddy Roberto and Kathleen hope that they could inspire people to continue their education despite their age.
“‘Yung mga nawawalan ng pag-asa, balikan mo kung bakit ka pumasok. Ano ‘yung naging motivation mo. Ituloy mo ‘yung dream mo na wala namang imposible kung paghihirapan mo, pagdadasalan mo. Lahat ng bagay may kanya-kanyang panahon eh. tsaka pag tumigil ka, nandun ‘yung regret eh, nandun ‘yung alam mong meron kang hindi natapos eh pero ‘Pag nakamit mo ‘yun, ‘yung tagumpay na ‘yun, magiging all worth it lahat,” said Daddy Roberto.
